National

WHO: Bird Flu Virus Might Have Spread Via Environmental Contamination
Tuesday, 26 July, 2005 | 00:33 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Georg Petersen, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Indonesia, said that the transmission of Avian Influenza virus in Tangerang, which claimed three lives, might have taken place through environmental contamination.

“For example, the transmission could have been through chicken dung,” Petersen told Tempo by phone on Sunday (23/07).

However, he declined to speculate on the sources of the virus and the transmission process.

According to Petersen, it is actually not difficult to find the sources, particularly if dealing directly with fowl or livestock as virus sources.

“However, if we have to check environmental contamination, it could have gone through so many paths before it reached humans,” he stated.

The sources of several cases of H5N1 virus transmission involving humans in Thailand and Vietnam have been found.

As reported earlier, the WHO headquarters in Geneva had warned the Indonesian government of the possible wider transmission of this virus.

According to Petersen, the warning is aimed at reminding Indonesia to be alert as this virus has infected humans.

The WHO suggests the public maintain the cleanness of the environment.

“They should also cook fowl meat properly to prevent the spreading of the virus,” stated Petersen.
(Ami Afriatni-Tempo News Room)